Agriculture and crop dispersal in the western periphery of the Old World: the Amazigh/Berber settling of the Canary Islands (ca. 2nd–15th centuries ce)

Abstract The Canary Islands were settled ca. 1,800 years ago by Amazigh/Berber farming populations originating in North Africa. This historical event represents the last and westernmost expansion of Mediterranean package Antiquity, investigating it yields information about crop dispersal along periphery world around turn first millennium ce . current study focuses on archaeobotanical evidence recorded a series pre-Hispanic/Amazigh sites (ca. 2nd–15th centuries ). It offers new, unpublished findings direct radiocarbon datings plant remains from different islands. general goal is to gain better grasp how settlers adapted their activities natural conditions each island. results suggest shared ‘package’ throughout islands since at least 3rd–5th set plants was likely introduced north-western Africa consists Hordeum vulgare (hulled barley), Triticum durum (durum wheat), Lens culinaris (lentil), Vicia faba (broad bean), Pisum sativum (pea), Ficus carica (fig). probably arrived single episode during initial colonisation not followed any other plants. Subsequent settling until arrival European seafarers, remained isolated outside world, condition that over time led decline diversity all except Gran Canaria.